Turning into our senses is an important way to disconnect from the fast pace of modern life.

Nature

By Kayte Kitchen

This is the fifth of five publications where we have been running a series of sensory experiences in nature.

Each experience will take about 10 mins and you are encouraged to read through the instructions before you commence your time in nature to maximise your experience.

Find a spot outside where you can sit or lie down comfortably. This could be in your backyard, your local reserve or in a national park. You may like the familiarity of the same place you have practised before or you may like to try somewhere new.

Take a few moments to regulate your breathing and settle into your position. For this breathing exercise, we will follow a pattern of 4 counts in, holding for 7 and then exhaling for 8.

Follow this pattern, allow it to take all of your focus and to help you unwind. Repeat for a few minutes.

Allow your breathing to find its natural rhythm once more.

For the next 5 mins we are going to practise tuning into all of our senses while we do a slow walk. You may only move a few metres within the 5 mins, the point of the exercise being to tune in to your senses of sight, smell, hearing and feeling as you go. Draw your attention to the details, get in close to nature, take time to experience the full experience of each moment.

You are trying to slow down your senses, slow down your experience. Try not to allow distractions to come into your mind, be fully present to the experience. If you do get distracted, don’t stop, just tune back in and continue.

When you choose to complete your experience, you may wish to take a moment of gratitude for nature and for the experience you have just had.

KayteKitchen

isthefounderofAdmirariNatureTherapywhoprovidenatureexperiencesfor schools, business and individuals. For more information visit admirari.com.au

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: 13 -19 March 2023

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Together, let’s change the narrative to understand, accept, and celebrate neurodiversity!

We're excited to present a week of great events at Croydon & Realm Libraries during Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Events include:

• Social morning for adults with Different Journeys (Croydon)

• Growing in to Autism with author Prof Sandra Thom-Jones (Croydon)

• Different Journeys information session (Croydon)

• Gently Gently Storytimes (Croydon & Realm)

• Games afternoon for children & teens with Different Journeys (Realm)